Title: Evaluating low-dose prednisone with standard therapy to improve heart function in patients with cardiac manifestations of Fabry disease

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What is this study about?

This clinical study focuses on patients with Fabry disease, a rare genetic condition that can affect the heart. The study will evaluate how adding low-dose prednisone (a corticosteroid medication) to standard treatments might help improve heart function in people who already receive either enzyme replacement therapy or chaperone therapy for their condition.

The research aims to determine if prednisone can reduce inflammation in the heart muscle, which is believed to be an important factor in heart problems caused by Fabry disease. Patients will receive either prednisone tablets or a placebo in addition to their regular Fabry disease treatment. The maximum daily dose of prednisone will be 5 milligrams, and the treatment period will last for 26 weeks.

During the study, doctors will monitor various aspects of heart health using different tests, including cardiac MRI (a detailed heart imaging test), echocardiography (heart ultrasound), and blood tests to measure substances that can indicate heart damage. They will also track how patients feel and how well they can perform daily activities to understand if the treatment is making a difference in their quality of life.

1 Initial assessment

Your participation begins with confirmation that you have Fabry disease and are currently receiving either enzyme replacement therapy or chaperone therapy

Medical tests will confirm if you have heart-related symptoms of Fabry disease through heart scans, blood tests, and heart rhythm measurements

A blood test will check your troponin T level, which must be above 14 ng/l to participate

2 Treatment period start

You will continue your current Fabry disease treatment (either enzyme replacement or chaperone therapy)

You will receive prednisone (a steroid medication) taken by mouth in addition to your regular treatment

The treatment aims to reduce inflammation in your heart muscle

3 Monitoring and testing

Regular blood tests to measure heart-related substances in your blood

Heart scans including ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Physical activity tests to measure your exercise capacity

Quality of life questionnaires to assess your daily functioning

Tests to check your kidney function

Urine tests to measure substances related to Fabry disease

4 Final assessment

The main goal is to see if your troponin T levels decrease by half after completing the steroid treatment

Final heart scans and blood tests will be performed

The study will track any heart-related health events that occurred during your participation

Who Can Join the Study?

  • You must give written informed consent to participate in the study
  • You must be at least 18 years old when screening begins
  • You must be currently receiving treatment for Fabry disease with either:
    • Enzyme replacement therapy (agalsidase alfa or beta), or
    • Chaperone therapy (migalastat)
  • You must have heart problems related to Fabry disease, showing at least one of these signs:
    • Abnormal heart rhythm or electrical activity on ECG
    • Changes in heart structure visible on ultrasound (echocardiogram)
    • Abnormalities detected on cardiac MRI scan
  • You must have elevated levels of troponin T (a protein that indicates heart stress) above 14 ng/l
  • If you are a woman of childbearing age, you must be willing to use appropriate contraception during the study

Who Cannot Join the Study?

  • Active or chronic systemic infections (infections affecting multiple body systems)
  • Known hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to prednisone or other corticosteroid medications
  • Presence of active peptic ulcer (open sores in stomach or small intestine)
  • Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar levels)
  • Systemic fungal infections (fungal infections affecting multiple body parts)
  • Severe osteoporosis (significant bone weakness)
  • Presence of active malignancy (cancer)
  • Immunosuppression (weakened immune system) from any cause
  • Severe psychiatric disorders that could affect study participation
  • Participation in another clinical trial within the past 30 days
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Inability to provide informed consent
  • History of poor compliance with medical treatments
  • Severe liver dysfunction (poor liver function)
  • Severe kidney dysfunction (poor kidney function)

Where you can join this trial?

Verified and Recommended Sites

No sites found in this category

Verified Sites

Other Sites

Site Name City Country Status
Gornoslaskie Centrum Mwdyczne Katowice Poland

Want to learn more about this study or check if you can participate? Contact us.

Trial status

Country Status Recruitment Start
Poland Poland
Recruiting
01.10.2025

Trial locations

Investigated drugs:

Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that helps reduce inflammation in the body. In this trial, it is being studied as an additional treatment alongside standard therapies for Fabry disease. It works by suppressing the immune system and decreasing inflammation in the heart muscle.

Enzyme Replacement Therapy (ERT) is a standard treatment for Fabry disease that provides patients with a functioning version of the enzyme that their bodies are unable to produce naturally. This therapy helps break down certain fatty substances that would otherwise build up in the body’s cells.

Chaperone Therapy (CHT) is another standard treatment for Fabry disease that works by helping to stabilize the patient’s own defective enzymes. This therapy helps the body’s natural enzymes work more effectively to break down harmful substances that accumulate in Fabry disease.

Fabry Disease – A rare genetic disorder that affects the body’s ability to break down specific types of fatty substances. The condition results from mutations in the GLA gene, which leads to the buildup of certain fats, primarily globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), in cells throughout the body. This accumulation causes progressive damage to tissues and organs, particularly affecting the heart, kidneys, and nervous system. The disease typically begins in childhood or adolescence and gradually worsens over time. Symptoms can include burning pain in hands and feet, decreased ability to sweat, dark skin spots, and gastrointestinal problems. As the disease progresses, it can lead to complications in various organs, particularly affecting heart function and kidney performance.

Trial ID:
2025-521408-24-00
Protocol code:
SHIELD-FABRY/2025/1
Trial Phase:
Therapeutic confirmatory (Phase III)

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